Mauricio Pochettino: Timeline on Chelsea announcement emerges with appointment hinging on one key aspect

Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment as Chelsea manager is ‘edging closer’ and ‘could be announced in the next week,’ according to reports.

The Argentine coach has been in talks with Chelsea and Tottenham recently. But now, everything is pointing towards him taking the job at Stamford Bridge.

This will come as a boost to Blues supporters, with their team currently sitting in 11th place in the Premier League table.

Indeed, it’s no secret that Todd Boehly is keen to bring in a new permanent manager soon, Graham Potter was sacked in March.

Club icon Frank Lampard is still expected to remain in charge on a temporary basis. However, Pochettino is now ‘close’ to securing his spot in the Chelsea dugout next term.

This is according to Sky Sports News, who claim the ex-Spurs boss’ appointment at Chelsea could be announced ‘in the next week.

During negotiations, Chelsea’s squad size and recruitment and the make-up of Pochettino’s backroom staff have been discussed.

The report adds that talks have progressed positively between both parties in the last few days – but no formal deal has been signed yet.

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Pochettino shines spotlight on oversized Chelsea squad

As mentioned, Lampard is expected to remain in charge at Chelsea for the rest of the season.

However, he has found it difficult to turn the club’s form around. So far, the former midfielder has lost all four of his games in charge – the first manager to do so in the Blues’ 118-year history.

One of the key problems for Chelsea this season has been the sheer number of big-money players in their squad.

Indeed, with Boehly spending over £600m on new players this season – there seem to be too many big personalities in their ranks.

In fact, in February, Potter omitted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from his Champions League squad to make room for Boehly’s new signings.

As a result, it’s no surprise that an oversized squad was a key feature of the talks between Pochettino and the Chelsea hierarchy – something he will want to address in the summer transfer window.

Pochettino has been out of work since parting company with Paris Saint-Germain in July 2022.

Since, he has been approached by Real Madrid twice, as well as turning down offers from other European clubs – including Tottenham.

Sky Sports report adds that Pochettino was one of three remaining names on Boehly’s shortlist. He joined Burnley boss Vincent Kompany and an unnamed third coach.

With his appointment set to be confirmed soon, Pochettino has a big job on his hands to take Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League.

However, given his experience at Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain, he could be the perfect candidate to do so.

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